Chapter 7 Does that mean you are having a crush on me

||Hardie Morrison||

"Don't you get? it's foolish keeping her here, she needs to go before she brings any suspicion." Lincoln glared at me. I blinked, this was never the Lincoln I trusted. He never for once raised his voice at me, talk more of glaring dagger at me.

"I know right, I just want to..."

"Don't try anything rash, please Hardie." He countered.

"Okay. Okay, I won't." I smirks.

"Good. I'll get her to some safe route, it almost dawn already." He pinched his brows.

"Can I go with you at least?" I asked still putting on my smirk.

He glared at him before nodding. "Right, no rash actions."

"Sure..."

***

"Why did you look like you don't wan' leave yet?" I twitched my neck towards the back seat, facing Arlington. Lincoln insist I sit at the front for his own self reason.

"I've got work to go, stupid." She huffed.

"Yeah, right." I nodded. "You're only leaving cause of your work, now I get it."

"You talk too much, Mr imposter." She hissed under her breath. "The Hardie everyone knows barely talks and now you're claiming to be him, tch."

"You've met with him once? Cause you talk like you're having a crush on him." I taunt her further.

"Arrgh! I've not met with him once and I don't know what he look like either. How can I be having a crush on a ghost?" She glared daggers at me.

"Does that mean you're crushing on me, huh?" I flirts. "Well, it worth it though since I'm good looking."

"What are you saying?" She half yell as she burn red.

"Come on don't be shy, Arling. This might be your first and your last, you know." I smirks but she kept mute as she swallowed her breath. "You see, there's no hurt in accepting the fact that you're having a crush on me."

"I- I don't get you." She was clearly embarrassed.

"Or you might be thinking of having me as a night stand, who knows?"

"Stop saying nonse..." Arlington was cut short by the sudden abrupt of the car.

"What was that?" I gawked at Jade.

"I made him to since you two won't stop talking, tsk." Lincoln said lazily as he lay back his head. "We're here, you should get down from here. You should get yourself home from here, I guess."

"Yeah, Sure. Thanks." She flashed Lincoln a short awkward smile before stepping down. "Goodbye..."

"And me? I don't deserve a thank you too, even after saving you?" I put on a frown. "That hurts, you know."

She twitched her lips before giving out a sweet smile. "Guess you deserve one too. Thank you." she said before running through the narrow lane.

I held out my cell phone, dialled a number before speaking into it. "Make sure she's safe, do you get?" I cut the call without giving the guy on the other end the priviledge to speak.

||Arlington Arlington||

I sneakily entered the house, rushed upstairs and quickly get dressed in a new clothing not after having my bath. I hurriedly arrange my room to avoid any suspicion or to get mother worried.

"Arling, Darling." Mom called from down stairs.

"Coming, mom. I'll be there in minutes." I quickly yelled back. I picked my bag and hurried down stairs. "Morning, mom."

"Hmm... Morning." She nodded slightly, stirring her coffee. "I came knocking on your door yester night, but you didn't reply. I decide not to pry in, thinking maybe you need some privacy. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm good. I was just stressed out, that's why. I stayed out late cause of work." I smiled convincingly. "You don't need to worry mom, I'm doing just fine."

"Just let me know, if you are facing any crisis. Okay?" She said. "I can't stand seeing you hurt."

"Yeah, copy that." I smiled.

"Eat up, else you'll be late for work." She said. I nodded curtly and start digging in. I Don't want Jesse's trouble, at least not today. But little did I know there is more In store for me today...

***

I got to work few minutes late and Jesse won't stop ranting but I might end up doing something irrational, so I decide to keep my calm. But Jesse wasn't satisfied until she see me react, still I remain dumb.

Just when I thought everything has died down, murmuring and side talks was all over the whole restaurant. Is something wrong? I waved it off and decide to face my stuffs.

The chicken stew was almost done when Min Hung came in.

"Gosh, Arling. Guess who's here?" She squealed excited.

"Min Hung, you see I'm busy and I'm not good at guessing." I said with a hint of I'm not interested. "Besides, I don't want Jesse' trouble today."

"Forget about Jesse for now. I guess Jesse is tongue tied by now." Min Hung pressed on. "Try guessing, please."

"Hmm..." I tried thinking but nothing is coming. Whose name am I gon' mention anyway?

"See, I can't really gu..." I couldn't complete my statement cause of how Jesse' barge. Min Hung quietly walked out.

"We are having a new customer and Arlington has to attend to them." Jesse said.

"Wait, I don't understand you." I crackled at her statement. "When is it my Job to attend to customers?"

"You don't ask me questions alright, just do what I asked of you. Okay?"

"But..." I wanted to protest but kept quiet, maybe this is another tactic of her of trouble. "I'll go take their order now."

"Sure. Do." She scoffs. "They are both sitting at the end of the hall putting on whites with black caps on."

'Fucking bitch...' I muttered under my breathe. I walked towards the new customers just as Jesse describes them.

I sigh as I neared them. 'You can do this, Arling.' I told myself. The truth is I was offered the chance of being a waitress but I declined cause I don't know how to face people.

"Good day, sir." I was a little bit audible trying my best not to stutter. "Can I take your order please?"

"Yeah, sure." One of the men responded. The other guy glued his attention on his phone, his cap, covering his facial appearance. I was glad, at least. Order was placed and I quietly went in to serve it.

I quickly served them their orders and was about when the guy on cap raised his head up. This can't be true cause he isn't the one, right?

"Mr imposter...?" I frowned at him. What is he doing here anyways? I've never seen him around here before, so why now? Or am I just noticing?

"Good to see you again." He said flashing a dark grin...